Check-punching device



(No Model.)

` R. SPENCER.

CHECK PUNCEINC DEVICE.

No. 388,085. Patented Aug. 21, 1888.

FFCE@ Aralar ROBERT SPENCER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CHECK=PUNCHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,085, dated August 21, 1888.

Application filed January 3. 188B. Serial No. 259,634. (No model.)

' To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT SPENCER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and'State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Punching Devices, of which I do declare the following` to be a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My present invention has relation to that cla-ss of punching devices designed to perforate or cut from the body of a check numbers indicating the amount for which the check is drawn, in order to securely guard against all danger of the check being fraudulently altered or raised.

My invention consists in various novel features of construction hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation (parts being` broken away for better illustration) of a check-punching device made in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail front view of the lower feed-roll and its attachments. Fig. 3 is a plan view of my cheek-punching device with a modified construction of feed mechanism applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section, through the center of the construction illustrated on Fig. 3, parts being broken away. Fig. 5 is a front end View of the constructionillustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail inverted plan view of the rotary die-carrier with the dies and guard-plate therein. Fig. 7 is a detail side view of the guard-plate. Fig. S is a detail plan view of the shaft and frame for sustaining the feed mechanism on the punching device. Fig. 9 is a View in side elevation of the shaft and sustaining mechanism shown in Fig. S. Fig. l0 is a detail plan view of the gage-plate. Fig. 1l is a detail perspective view of the die-operating block or plunger.

A and A denote, respectively, the lower and upper jaws of the numbering-punch, these jaws being pivoted together, as at a, and being provided with the usual handles, A, between which is placed a suitable spring, a', that serves to hold the jaws open when the pressure is relieved therefrom. rlhe lower jaw, A, is provided with the long slot l, extending from front to back thereof, in which thejaw A is movably sustained, and above this slot, and preferably integral with the lower jaw, A, is formed the expanded base-plate 2, whereon is sustained the rotary die-carrier B, that is provided with a series of chambers, b, wherein the dies or punches C are held, and the eX- panded plate 2 of the jaw A preferably conforms in shape to the die-carrier and serves to retain the dies or punches C within their appropriate chambers. From the rear of the .lower jaw, A, rises the standard A, the forwardly-projecting portion 4 of which is provided With a threaded perforation to receive the central screw, D, the pointed end of which screw enters the hub b ol' the die-carrierB and serves to retain the same securely in proper position.

Above the die-carrier B, and preferably formed in one piece with the hub b thereof, is the rotary die-plate E, that is provided with a series of female dies, e, corresponding in number, arrangement, and character with the punches held within the immediate subjacent chambers I) of the die-carrier, and this dieplate E is separated from the die-carrier by a slot, e, of sufficient width to readily permit the check or other paper-to be numbered to be readily inserted or Withdrawn therefrom. The central lower portion of the rotary die-carrier B is cut away to form a chamber, wherein is placed a guard-plate, F, that is rigidly attached to the expanded plate 2 of the lower jaw of the punch by means of the set-screws 5, which enter the perforations j', formed in the guardplate, and serve to retain this plate against rotation.

The guard-plate F is provided with the flange f', which extends over the inward part ofthe series of slots b2, that lead radially from the die-carrying chambers b, so that when the dies or punches C are within their respective chambers the lugs c, formed on the lower ends of these dies, will be guarded by the flangef from entering farther into the slots bl of the die-carrier. Through the front of the guardplate F and its fiangef is cut the slot f2, so that when by the rotation of the die-carrier any punch of the series is brought to proper position for punching this slot f2 will per- IOO mit the inwardly-projecting lug c of such die or punch to move upward into the corresponding slot b2 of the die-carrier, as the die or punch is elevated until the upper end thereof enters the corresponding female die. In order to effeet with certainty and precision the movement of either of the dies or punches when such die or punch has been brought into proper position opposite the slot]C2 of the guard-plate F, I have provided the movable die-operating block or plunger G, preferably of cylindrical shape, that is heldin a manner free to slide within a correspondiugly-shaped seat formed I at the outer portion of the slot 1 of the lower jaw, A, and the base-plate 2 yis cut away, as shown, to permit the free movement of this die-operating block G and the withdrawinghook g, that projects inwardly therefrom.

Thelower portion of the die-operating block G is provided with the slot g to receive the forward end of the upperjaw,A,of the punch, which is held in connectionwith the die-operating block G by means of the pin g2, that enters the slotted end of such jaw. The forwardly-projecting end of the withdrawinghook g is of substantially the same thickness as the flange f of the guard-plate F, while the open space of the withdrawing hook is of substantially the width or a triiie larger than the space formed between theflange f ofthe guardplate and the base-plate 2,whereon the die-rarrier rests. Hence it will be seen that when the parts are in their normal position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the die-carrier B and dieplate E can be freely rotated, and during such rotation the lugs c of the several dies or punches C will move freely in the space formed between the angef of the guard-plate and thebase-plate 2 ol' the lowerjaw, and during such movement these lugs c of the dies will pass beneath the forwardly-projecting end of the withdrawing-hook g of the die-operating block. When, however, either of the dies or punchesfis opposite the slotf2 of the guardplate, such die or punch can then he forced upward, since its movement will not at such time be guarded or checked by the angef of the guard-plate, and hence it will be seen that when it is desired to punch a series of figures from a check it is only necessary to rotate the die-carrier B and die-plate E until the lignres are successively brought opposite the slot f2 of the guard-plate and immediately above the die-operating block G, when by compressing the handles A2 the upward movement of thejaw A will lift the die-operating block and will force the die to move upward in its chamber until it enters the corresponding female die. As soon asa figure is cut, the

releasing of the pressure upon the handles A2 will permit the spring a to restore the jaw A to the position shown in Fig. 4, and during this downward or backward movement of the jaw A it will retract the die-operating block G, and the hooked end g of this block, being in engagement with the stud c of the die C,

will restore the die to its normal position. When the die is thus restored to its normal position, the die-carrier B can be rotated in such manner as to bring the next desired die opposite the slot f2 of the guard-plate and above the die-operating block.

lt will be observed that the outer portion of the die-carrier around the guard-.plate F is not cut away, but rests upon the base-plate 2 of the jaw A. The lugs e of the dies are at all times a slight distance within the radial slots bl of 'the die-carrier, and the dies are thereby prevented from danger of accidental movement during the rotation of the die-carrier.

In order to permit the die-carrier and dieplate to be readily rotated by hand for the purpose of bringing any desired die above the die-operating block or plunger G, I prefer to form the periphery of the die-carrier with corrugations b5 or other irregularities, which will enable it to be more readily grasped and turned by the hand, and in order to insure the accurate position of the die-carrier during the punching operation I prefer also to provide the periphery of this carrier with a series of notches, b, corresponding in number and position with the several chambers of the diecarrier, into which notches will enter the end of a spring-pawl, B2, that is held within a suitable seat, bl, in 'the standard A3 of the lower jaw, A. By this means the die-carrier can be readily rotated, and when the desired die is brought in position for punching, the carrier will be retained temporarily in position by the operation of the spring-pawl B".

From the foregoing construction it will be seen that the several dies are so held within the respective chambers of the die-carrier that they can be moved both forward and backward by the operation ofthe die-operating block or plunger G, so that the necessity for the employment of springs or other devices for the withdrawal of the dies is avoided.

In order to insure the punching of the various figures in proper alignment and position upon the check, I have provided a guide, H, preferably in the form of a flattened plate cut away centrally, so as to partially encircle the hub b' of the die-carrier and rest within the space e' between the die-carrier and die-plate; The front edge of this guide H willV project forwardly beyond the hub b', and to the back ot' the plate is attached a screw-threaded stem, H', that passes through a hole formed in the standard A3 and is engaged by a thumb-screw, I, the flange 'L' of which is held by a lug, 8, formed on the back of the standard. From this construction it will be seen that the guide H can be adjusted either in forward or backward direction by means of its threaded stem H and the thumb-screw I in such manner as to bring the front edges of the guard to such position as to enable the figures to be cut in proper alignment and at the desired distance from the edge of the check.v

IIS

In order to advance the check or other paper to be numbered the exact distance for the proper cutting of the next succeeding figure after one figure has been cut, I have provided the feeding mechanism next to be described. This feeding mechanism is by preference sustained by a frame, L, having side bars, Zand Z', provided with the perforations Z2, adapted to receive the set-screws Z3, that will enter correspondingly threaded perforations in the sides of the lowerjaw, A, of the punching device, so that, if desired, (as, for example, when a single figure is to be cut from a series of checks or other papera) the feeding attachment can be readily removed. From the outer end of the sustaining-frame L projects the shaft M of the lower feed-roll,l\I, and from the side Z of this frame extends a spring-bar, N, that is bent in such manner as to avoid interference with the movement of the die-carrier, and sustains at its free end the upper feedroller, O, suitably jonrnaled within its yoke 0. By thus mounting the upper feed-roller, O, upon the spring-bar N this upper roller can be readily lifted when it is desired to insert a check in proper position to be punched within the slot c' between the die-carrier and die-plate, and the force of the spring will canse the upper roller to bear with sufficient pressure upon the check to cause it to be advanced by the movement ofthe lower roller. In order to feed the check forward a proper distance to permit the figures to be successively punched therefrom, I have provided means whereby the lower roll may be ad vanced either by hand, as illustrated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings,

i or may be advanced by the movement of the upperjaw, A', after each gure has been cut.

ln the construction shown in Figs. l and 2 the lower Vfeed-roll, M', is provided with an annular cup shaped hand-piece, P, the inner portion of which is fastened to the lower roll, and to the outer face of this roll is attached the spring-pawl R, that engages with the notched wheel R', that is xedupon the outer end of the shaft M. The notches in this wheel R' are formed at such distance apart that each notch will temporarily check the movement of the lower roll after it has been advanced a sufcient distance for the punching of a figure. It will thus be seen that when the check has been placed between the feed-roller,with its edge in the space e' between the die-carrier and dieplate, and one figure has been punched, the check can be advanced the proper distance to permitthe nextsucceeding figuretobe punched therefrom by merely turning the hand-wheel P until the spring-pawl R engages with the next notch of the ratchet-wheel It.

In the construction of feed mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings the lower feed-roller, M', has fixed to its outer end a ratchet-plate, S, with which will engage a spring-pawl, T, that is carried upon the outer end 0f vthe bent arm T', the inner end of this arm being reduced, so as to enter a suitable `ward movement.

socket formed in the end of thejaw A' of the punch, in which it is securely held by means of the set-screw t. shaft M is ixed a ratchet-wheel, m, with the teeth of which engages the paw] m', the purpose of this ratchet-wheel m and pawl m' being to guard the lower roll, M', against back- From this construction it will be seen that as the jaw A lifts the die-operating block G in the punching operation the springpawl T will be carried upward and over a tooth of the ratchet-wheel S, and after the jawA' Inoves backward such distance as to cause the die-operating block or plunger to withdraw the die from the check the pawl T will engage with one of the notches of the ratchet-wheel S and will move this wheel, and consequently the lower feed-roller, M', to such extent as to cause the cheek to be advanced a suficient distance for the punching ofthe next succeeding figure.

I-Iaving thus described my invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a check-punching device, the combination ot'pivoted jaws, handles for operating said jaws, a rotary die-carrier and die-plate sustained by one of said jaws, a series of movable dies within said die-carrier, and a movable die-operating block or plunger, substantially as described.

2. In a check-punching device, the combination, with pivoted jaws and handles for operating said jaws, of a rotary die-plate and a die-carrier provided with dies, said carrier being sustained by and outside of said jaws, and one oi' said jaws being extended across the rear ends of the dies,substantially as described.

3. In a check-punching device, the combination, with pivotedjaws and handles for operating said jaws, of a rotary die-plate and a die-carrier provided with open-ended chambers and dies held within said chambers, said die-carrier being mounted upon and outside of said jaws, and one of said jaws being extended beneath the rear ends of said dies, substantially as described.

4. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary die-carrier and die-plate and pivoted jaws, one of said jaws being provided with a standard for sustaining the die-carrier and die-plate, substantially as described.

5. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary die-plate, a die-carrier connected with said plate, pivoted jaws, one of which is provided with a base-plate whereon the die-carrier rests, and with a standard for holding the die-carrier in proper position, and a series of dies movably held with said diecarrier, substantially as described.

6. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary die-carrier having a series of chambers formed therein, a die-plate fixed upon the hub of said die-carrier, a series of movable dies provided with lugs and held within said die-carrier, and a guard-plate for Upon the outerend of the IOO IIO

checking the movement of said dies, said guard being located between said lugs and the dieplate to restrict the movement of the dies toward the die-plate, substantially as described.

7. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary die-carrier having a series of chambers, a series of punches mounted within said chambers, and a Iixed guard-plate having a single slot therein to release the dies, substantially as described.

8. In a check-punching device, the combination, with the pivoted jaws and handles for operating said jaws, of a die-plate, a die-carrier provided with a series of movable dies, a xed guardplate slotted to release said dies, and a die operating block or plunger having a retracting-hook for entering the slot of the guard-plate and withdrawing said dies from the die-plate, substantially as described.

9. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary diecarrier and die-plate, pivoted jaws, one of said jaws being provided with a standard for sustaining the die-carrier and die-plate, and a gage held within the space between the die-carrier and die-plate and having a shank projecting through said standard, substantially as described.

10. In a check-punching device, the combination of a rotary die-carrier and die-plate, pivoted jaws, one of said jaws being provided with a standard for sustaining the die-carrier and die-plate, a gage provided with a screwthreaded shank extending through said standard, and an adjusting-nut for determining the position of said gage, substantially as described.

11. In a check-punching device, the combination, with thejaws of the punch and a rotary die-carrier and die-plate held thereby, of feedrollers and a sustaining-frame detachably connected with the jaws, substantially as described.

12. In a check-punching device, the combination, with a rotary die-carrier and die-plate, of feed mechanism comprising a sustainingframe, a shaft projecting from said frame, a lower roller journaled upon said shaft, a springbar extending from said frame, and an upper feed-roller carried by said springbar, substantially as described.

13. In a check-punching device, the combination, with the die-carrier and die-plate, of two feed-rollers, the lower roller being provided with a pawl and the axle of said lower roller being provided with a ratchet, substantially as described.

14. In a check-punching device, the combination, with the jaws of the punch, handles for operating said jaws, and a rotary die-carrier and die-plate held by said jaws, of two feed-rollers, one of said rollers being provided with a hand-plate at its outer end, an axle for sustaining said roller proj eeting from the front end of the punch, and a pawl and notched wheel for said roller, substantially as de scribed.

ROBERT SPENCER.

Witnesses:

GEo. P. FIsHER, Jr., W. RossrrER. 

